OPD officer arrested, accused of abusing girlfriend

Officer Danny Sidders was arrested Saturday and charged with battery.

An Orlando police officer was arrested this weekend after his girlfriend accused him of beating her up and locking her out of their home.

Officer Danny Sidders was arrested by his fellow officers Saturday after his live-in girlfriend called police to report the alleged abuse. She claims it was not the first time he abused her.

Sidders, 42, is assigned to the midnight shift at Orlando International Airport and was relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, spokesman Sgt. Vince Ogburn said.

Sidders' girlfriend, whose name was not made public because she is a victim of domestic violence, told officers the two were arguing Friday night at their Orlando home when Sidders took her cell phone.

When the woman took it back from him, he shoved her, an arrest report shows. The victim fell on her left elbow, which caused an injury.

The two continued to argue until the victim fell asleep in their bedroom. Just before midnight, the woman told officers Sidders roused her from bed, "shoved her down the hallway, hitting the walls and doors…[and] was shoved out the front door," the report states.

Sidders locked the woman out of their home, and then told her he would only give the woman her toiletries and cell phone, the report shows.

The victim called to report the violence the following day and officers noted the woman had several cuts and bruises.

While officers were taking the report, Sidders arrived at the home and was arrested. He was charged with battery and transported to the Orange County Jail. He was booked into the jail just before midnight Saturday and bonded out Sunday after paying $500 bail.